Scientists working out of Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Center and the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine have discovered a mechanism by which brain cancer causes neurodegeneration, or neuron death. It is thought the discovery could provide potential leads in the ongoing quest to prevent or reduce neurodegeneration due to other brain diseases and conditions as well.
What is neurodegeneration?
Neurodegeneration is the process by which a neuron in the brain loses structure and/or ceases to function. Neurodegeneration is present in a host of diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
What is the mechanism related to brain cancer that was found to cause neuron death?
The mechanism appears to operate through a particular gene, known as astrocyte elevated gene-1. AEG-1 is a recognized oncogene, which is a gene with a known ability to cause cancer. AEG-1 is routinely found in up to 90 percent of all brain tumors.
What is GBM?
GBM is the most common of brain cancers, accounting for some 17 percent of all primary brain tumors. It is the second-most common cause of death involving cancer in people ages 20 to 39, although it is more common in those older than 50. It is more common in men, by a ratio of approximately 3 to 2.
GBM is a stage 4 brain cancer, the most severe form. While it often starts slowly, it also frequently spreads to other body tissues and can be difficult to treat.
Overall, the risk of an adult developing brain cancer during their lifetime is very low, approximately 0.6 percent.
How does AEG-1 work in someone with GBM?
AEG-1 partners with a transporter known as EEAT2, which controls the levels of glutamate in the brain's synapses. Glutamate is an amino acid involved in the cognition, memory and learning functions of the brain. Too much glutamate buildup between the brain's synapses causes neuron death.
What are the details of the VCU study?
The study used samples from people with GBM-type brain cancer to test for the presence of AEG-1. The researchers then sought to link the presence of AEG-1 and a negative effect on EEAT2 and glutamate levels.
What were the goals of the study?
The primary goal of the study, which is being called the first of its kind, was to establish a link among GBM-type brain cancer, glutamate levels and neuron death. Long-term goals include being able to further map the role of glutamate in brain function and the development of treatments to slow or prevent neuron death.
Vanessa Evans is a musician and freelance writer based in Michigan, with a lifelong interest in health and nutrition issues.
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